My son, Angus, uses a Mossberg 20 GA bolt gun for turkey. They make nice, easy, cheap firearms. I can see where they'd have some merit as a deer slug gun. You'd probably have at least a 50 yard deer gun, shooting slugs.

If you can hunt deer with a rifle, I'd go with the Marlin 336. If I had to pick, I'd go with 35 REM. I'm thinking seriously of sending my 30-30 sent to Nonneman to have it rechambered for 307 WIN.

I have a 1958 sears and robuck J.c. Higgins model 12ga. bolt action with a full choke.... it is a good dependable gun and never had any problems with it.. just be careful there was a recall for certain j.c. higgins models done by sears... the issue is a simple one and really no problem for someone with common sense... the set screw for the bolt can loosen and fall out causing someone to strike themselves in the face with te bolt... no problem for me considering i clean and check my gun regularly.... ( a tip: a little bit of locktite when you tighten the screw and it won't loosen, but can still be removed when need for cleaning and maintenance)....... very dependable gun.

ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU HUNTING IS WRONG... TELL THEM TO READ THE BIBLE:

Now then get your weapons-
Your quiver and your bow-
And go out to the open country-
to hunt some wild game for me